10 Ways To Make Your House More Energy Efficient
With the rising cost of energy today, it's the aim of every person to try and do anything they can to conserve energy at home. By making just a few simple and inexpensive changes around the house, you can save a lot of money in the long run.
Ensure Maximum Insulation in Your Home
The first step to energy efficiency in your home is to ensure that your home is properly insulated. This reduces unnecessary heat loss from your house during the cold weather and air-conditioned air in the summer.
Replace Incandescent Lights
Houses that have the old incandescent bulbs convert just 10% of the total energy that they convert into light while all the remaining energy is converted to heat. Using LED light bulbs as well as compact fluorescent lamps can save the lighting energy by up to 75%.
Check Your Furnace Filters
Dirty filters can restrict air flow and cause your furnace to have to work harder. So make sure you check and replace your furnace filters regularly.
Clean Your Air Ducts
Keeping the air ducts clean does not only ensure proper flow of air, but it also reduces stress on the furnace.
Use Your Appliances Responsibly
You can decrease your energy usage, even with energy-efficient appliances, by turning off any appliances when not in use. e.g. Turn off the TV if you're going to be out of the room for an extended period, and shut off any computers when you're not using them (or at least put them to sleep).
Install a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat lets you control the heating and cooling of your home by ensuring that the heat and air conditioning aren't running when you don't need them.
Insulate Windows and Doors
Windows and doors can account for a third of the total heat loss in your home. However, you can reduce the loss by sealing windows using rope caulk. Also consider repairing and replacing any cracked or damaged windows and doors. Of course the best option, if you have it in your budget is to replace any old or damaged windows with new double- or triple-pane windows.
Air-dry Your Dishes
Don't use the heat-dry setting on your dishwasher. Let your dishes air-dry, and you'll save energy and keep your dishwasher from heating up your kitchen.
Cook Smart
You can lessen the amounts of energy you use while cooking by using a convection oven and placing pans on the matching size burner. You can also try using a pressure cooker. Pressure cookers can cook food in far less time than traditional methods.
Install Ceiling Fans
Instead of using an air conditioner, use ceiling fans. They can make a room feel up to 5 degrees cooler.
Plant Trees Near the House
During the summer, the trees can keep your house cool, thus reducing your A/C costs.
As you can see from the above tips, there are many simple ways to reduce your energy bills. Get started today!
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